Weymouth shooting: Double murder suspect held without bail

WEYMOUTH, Mass. — The suspect accused of killing a Weymouth sergeant and a civilian pleaded not guilty to two murder charges Tuesday and was ordered held without a bail.

Police say 42-year-old Weymouth Sergeant Michael Chesna and 77-year-old Vera Adams were killed on Sunday by Emanuel Lopes.

The 20-year-old suspect, who has a history with law enforcement, was wheeled into a courtroom Tuesday clad in a hospital garment.

Lopes was shot in the leg by police after they say he was found with Officer Chesna's gun -- which they said had been emptied of bullets. He had been held in police custody at a hospital before he was brought to court to face the charges.

Lopes' defense attorney asked for his client to be sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for an evaluation.

"I've been unable to speak with him coherently about the case," Lopes' defense attorney said in court. "He has a long history of mental illness."

Lopes' mother in an affidavit seeking a restraining order on her son said she was "afraid" of him because of mental health and substance abuse issues.

The court cleared everyone else out to make room for any police officers who wanted to be in attendance, with the Weymouth Police Department all coming and leaving on a bus together.

Both officers who knew Chesna and those who didn't were in attendance, including Quincy Police Captain John Dougan, who said it was incredible to see the support for the fallen sergeant.

"It's a very moving thing for all police," Dougan said. "Especially Weymouth, to know they have the backing of every other police department in the Commonwealth and across the country."

Quincy Police shut down the road in front of the courthouse for hours before and during the arraignment for security reasons, to ensure each officer who came could get in and out smoothly.

25 Investigates: Weymouth shooting suspect was out on bail after drug charges

According to police records, witnesses told police Lopes was speeding and swerving between lanes Sunday before he apparently crashed into a stationary vehicle. Sgt. Chesna responded to reports of Lopes’ driving and reportedly found Lopes as he was throwing a rock through a window in the Burton Terrace neighborhood.

Lopes picked up a large rock and hit Chesna with it, knocking him to the ground. Lopes then picked up Chesna's gun and shot him ten times as he stood over him.

Court docs: Man stood over Weymouth officer and shot him ten times

Police say Lopes then stopped in one backyard and shot through the window, hitting and killing Adams as she sat in her sunroom drinking coffee.

Court records show a judge released Lopes on $500 bail earlier this year while he awaited his next hearing in two criminal cases.

Lopes is due back in court in August.

MORE FROM BOSTON 25 NEWS:

• Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna posthumously promoted to sergeant
• Weymouth shooting: Police officer fatally shot, civilian also killed
• Weymouth shooting: Vigil held to honor victims
• 'It's just very, very sad': Weymouth woman, 77, shot while sipping coffee

The Associated Press Contributed to this report.

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